The number of swine flu deaths in New Zealand has risen to nine after two more deaths were confirmed in the Wellington region.
Last week, a 56-year-old man died in Wellington and a 79-year-old woman died in the Hutt Valley, bringing the total number of confirmed deaths to nine, the Ministry of Health said today.
Both had underlying health conditions.
The total number of confirmed cases of swine flu has also risen, with the ministry recording 1984 cases, up from 1779 yesterday.
Healthline was still receiving a high number of calls from people with flu-like symptoms, and weekly GP consultation rates for flu-like illness were nearly three times higher than the winter peak experienced in the last two years, the ministry said.
Health Minister Tony Ryall said the steady increase in consultation rates was putting considerable pressure on health services.
"The public can expect to see full intensive care units and some surgery being cancelled at various public hospitals around the country over the next few weeks," Mr Ryall said.
A total of 113 people were reported to be in hospital with swine flu or complications stemming from the virus, 23 of them were in intensive care.
